Halutz denies Israel facing conflict with Syria

Monday, January 15, 2007 |
by Staff Writer

IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz denied statements saying that Israel is on the brink of an armed confrontation with Syria due to erupt next summer. “We are always preparing, but we are not preparing for anything concrete,” he said.

According to Halutz, the Syrians also heard the statements from Israel and one of the things Israel is doing now is bringing down the temperature. However, Halutz warned, sometimes a miscalculation could bring results nobody intended on.

Regarding Lebanon, Halutz said that Hizballah has increased its activities against Saniora’s government, especially in street actions. In fact, the ones who are pulling the strings and are intent on bringing down the Saniora government are the Syrians.

Regarding Iran, Halutz said that it is continuing to strengthen the axis of resistance, comprised of Syria and Hizballah. “They are strengthening their ties with Palestinian Islamic Jihad as well as with Hamas,” Halutz said. He added that the Iranian army is continuing to build its strength, especially in the area of air defense.

Halutz also said that the global Jihad is also making an attempt to strengthen its hold within Lebanon. “We don’t see Israel as the ‘address’ for this buildup, but there is definitely such a trend,” he said.

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